News

Police calls: Sleeping driver takes out 44 feet of fence

This information is based on reports from the Menlo Park Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. Under the law, people charged with offenses are considered innocent unless convicted. Police received the reports on the dates shown.

PORTOLA VALLEY

Traffic accidents:

■ A woman was driving east on Alpine Road when she fell asleep. Her vehicle left the road, took out 44 feet of fence and came to rest against a tree. Medics took the driver to Stanford Hospital with injuries, and the vehicle was towed away with major damage. March 26.

■ A cyclist was riding north on the southbound shoulder of Portola Road when he maneuvered his bike off the pavement to accommodate a southbound cyclist. Shortly thereafter, he lost control of his bike and collided with the front bumper of a stopped vehicle. His injuries included scrapes on his leg and a broken arm. March 27.

Fraud: Someone stole the personal information of residents of Santa Maria Avenue and attempted to use it to obtain a mortgage. No losses. March 30.

WEST MENLO PARK

Thefts:

■ Someone stole a bike parked in the backyard of a house on Mills Avenue. Estimated loss: $4,000. March 31.

■ A thief stole money from a metal box stored in a file cabinet in an office at a school. Estimated loss: $1,500. March 31.

Fraud: A resident of the 2100 block of Santa Cruz Avenue told deputies she received a $1,778 refund from state Franchise Tax Board when she had yet to file her tax return. April 1.

MENLO PARK

Auto burglaries:

■ A burglar entered a locked vehicle parked on San Antonio Street by unknown means, tried unsuccessfully to steal an in-dash radio/CD player, but did steal two debit cards, a driver's license and a gift card from the center console. Estimated loss: $95. April 8.

■ Someone stole a ham radio from a vehicle parked on Sharon Road after smashing a window. Estimated loss: $40. April 5.

Thefts:

■ A minor traffic accident occurred between two vehicles on Hedge Road, with one vehicle emerging from the accident with a broken taillight. Someone associated with the damaged vehicle offered the woman driving the other vehicle a chance to settle the matter with a $3,000 cash payment. The two drove to the woman's home so she could get her check book. She made the payment and later discovered checks missing. April 3.

■ Someone stole an unlocked bike from the front porch of a house on Sherman Avenue. Estimated loss: $2,000. April 9.

■ A locked bike was stolen from in front of an office building in the 2400 block of Sand Hill Road. Estimated loss: $700. April 8.

Frauds:

■ A resident of the 1600 block of El Camino Real wired $200 after a stranger called her and told her she would receive $9,000 in exchange. A Western Union receipt indicated that the caller was based in India. April 10.

■ Someone stole several checks from a locked office while the office occupant was on vacation. The checks were made out to "various people" and cashed. April 8.

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